Anyway, do have a safe trip, sherpa, and can't wait to see both of you!

You see The Doc is with me in pseudo-felinoid form only, his humanoid form is back in Van going to school, babbling, chewing quantum-physics equations for breakfast, ect. Just his nap-loving puddy cat self has joined me for the journey east. (And I spread no rumours, though Doc's human form may be positivly svelt, his feline disposition is truly, well, fat'n'sassy!)

So that's all cleared up then. Weather has been clear for the most part, though one day in Hope was rather wet - spent most of it at the all you can eat chinese/jappanese buffet on the main drag. My body is getting used to burning massive amounts of calories again, there was an unpleasant (Yes, Dawna, unpleasant) scene at the Tim Horton's in Abbotsford -involving boston cream donuts and a triple-triple- that I won't relate at this time.

It's still a bit cold at night, but my feline friend keeps my feet warm and I've a good sleeping bag strapped to the rack of Orco. Yes, Orco is my bike.

The hills up the Coquihalla are tough! Still a lot of snow on the road side. Makes for some hairy riding when big trucks go past. Hit the summit (1740m!) in the afternoon yesterday and cruised on down the other side into Merrit by nightfall. COLD HANDS! Where is Merrit you ask? Well as The local wags would say "Merrit is beyond Hope!" Ha.

Dinner of french toast at the Red Top Truck Stop was great, as always, and I found a nice spot in City Park to set up the Bivy. There's a nice little Coffee/Internet gig next to the Dairy Queen from which I write you now.

Going to do some shopping in the morning then its back onto those hills towards Kamloops. Will write soon. -sherpa

[ April 02, 2002: Message edited by: meades ]

Rode more directly east than was planned. Down into the Okagnagan Valley. The lake sits at 200m and the snow is at about 400m, so I'm laying low for awhile. The lake is perfectly undisturbed by the summer crowd of motor boats and is a little bit wind-whipped at the momment. Beautiful, still too cold to be fun, though.

A friend's family has a cabin just above WestBank and just below Vernon- right near the Native Reserve- This is where I have been sleeping. There is 'lectricity, but no heat, insulation or computer. Sorry I haven't posted in a while.

Rockies are looking bad. The season is late and the rocks are still snow bound. Roger's Pass is not bikable yet. I'm not sure about the more southern Crow's Nest Pass, but that would include climbing the Kootneys as well. How's the weather on the other side, 'lance?

Just been kickin' back lately with books and mugs of tea. Quite nice realy. Haven't decided yet if I should turn back and try later in the season. This wasn't so hard the last time, but I tackled the Rockies last then. But then, I didn't have a pseudo-felinoid in my backpack either!

[ April 07, 2002: Message edited by: DrConway ]

quote:

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Hey. . .Dawson Creek, BC!

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Yes, yes, 'The Ditch' or 'DC' as it's refered to by its inhabitants.

**A local joke**
"Where is Dawson's Creek?"
"Just up the road from Pouce Coupe"